Nez - The Olfactory Magazine - N° 20

PERFUME STORIES From myths to legends, briefs to advertisements, books to films, how do scents tell their story? Perfume is known for inspiring dreams and, to do so, it must tell its story, whether through myths or legends, press releases or advertisements, but also sometimes in literature, cinema, or simply in our thoughts and imagination. Among the stories told about the great houses and their creations, how much is true, and how much is embellishment? Why do we find symbolism from fairy tales and mythology in advertisements? As for ourselves, what do fragrances say about our lives, and what do they reveal about us? What are the scents that bring books and films to life, driving the narrative forward? Finally, like olfactory screenwriters, do per- fumers stay in control of the stories they originally imagined? Or do they fade into the background behind the briefs they receive? Ultimately, who tells the story of perfume?